8 Miracle Products That'll Banish Cracked, Dry Feet For Good

Flip-flops and thong sandals are the epitomes of summertime footwear, but they cause cracked heels, calloused soles, and blistered toes. Even if you’re an avid year-round foot buffer like myself, reptile-esqe feet happen to everyone after a day of stomping around Concrete Jungle.

Since I spend each and every single day hoofing around the city, I decided to conduct some unscientific research of my own to help find a cure for this crusty epidemic. I tried two dozen foot creams, balms, and mousses and picked the top eight that survived a day of flip-flopping without causing any irritation. See which all-stars will keep your feet soft and smooth for those open-toed steppers, ahead.

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Photographed by Guang Xu.

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The nail polish queen was smart enough to know that cracked heels can buzz kill any stellar polish, so she created a cream loaded with açai, kokum butter, aloe vera, and olive oil. My feet were still soft after a day of flea market shopping in Brooklyn.

The idea of a foot mousse seems ludicrous, but it wasn’t as watery as I expected. It felt satin-y thanks to its sunflower, echium, and argan oils. I went from Brooklyn to the Bronx, Bryant Park, Flatiron, Midtown, and to the U.E.S. before returning to Brooklyn without a crack in sight.

The company claims that this foot cream “cools, soothes, and relaxes tired and achy feet," which I didn't find to be true — my feet were still hot and tired after a 12-hour day. But, the tea tree leaf, peppermint, and spearmint oil trifecta mixed in with a bit of seaweed did keep dryness at bay.

This bargain option is just as effective as its pricier counterparts. To test it out, I used Desert Essence Organics on my right foot and an expensive option on my left. After a day of running errands, the cheaper option prevailed. My left foot looked prehistoric by the end of the day.